Park arrest of teen ‘lured into drug dealing’

A teenager was arrested in a Bath park after police spotted apparent drug dealing.

Brad Forbes, 20, of Meadowcroft in Swindon, was 18 when he was lured into carrying drugs for easy money, Bristol Crown Court heard.

He pleaded guilty to possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply in November 2020.

Judge Mark Horton handed him 16 months’ jail suspended for two years.

He told Forbes: “I’m in no doubt that whatever the reason you were running with a very bad crowd at that time. It is very easy to get lured into this trade.”

The judge gave Forbes a sixmonth curfew in which he must be at home from 8pm to 5am. He also imposed up to 30 days of rehabilitation.

Ellen Mcanaw, prosecuting, said police conducting surveillance in a Bath park noticed a drug-user engaging with Forbes and another man. Because it looked like a drug deal Forbes was arrested and taken to a police station.

Miss Mcanaw said Forbes was strip searched and, concealed in his body, were five wraps of 82 per cent pure cocaine valued at £50. Also recovered were 22 wraps of 11-12 per cent pure heroin valued at £220. Forbes made no comment when interviewed. The court heard he had no previous convictions.

Gregory Gordon, defending, said his client had genuine remorse and regret. He said: “He believed it would be exciting. He believed he would be earning money. He was lured in by peers on that basis.”

Mr Gordon added that his client had removed himself from previous acquaintances and was working.